An Introduction to HIGH-PERFORMANCE COATING SYSTEMS

Course Overview

This CEU will increase your general awareness of not only what high-performance coatings are and where they are used but also factors that influence performance, service life, and selection.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:

• Explain the purpose and common applications of high-performance coatings.

• Discuss how high-performance coatings help control corrosion.

• Describe the benefits of a three-coat system.

• Identify the factors that influence the coating-system selection.

SECTION 1Basic Principles of High-Performance Coatings

The Big Picture of High-Performance Coatings

Protection | Performance | Aesthetics

SECTION 2Why High-Performance Coatings Are Used

Why AreHigh-Performance Coatings Used?

• Protect substrate from corrosion

• Provide resistance to chemical and abrasion

• Ensure durability and safety

• Improve appearance

What Is Corrosion?

Corrosion is the deterioration of a material (primarily metals).

Metallic Corrosion• Four components are required for

corrosion to occur:

– Anode: an “active” metal component

– Cathode: a less-active metal component

– Metallic Pathway: a direct connection between the anode and cathode

– Electrolyte: a medium that conducts electricity, like water

Metallic Corrosion

• Metal expands up to23 times original size

• High-performance coatings control corrosion

PrimerIntermediate CoatFinish Coat Water

Water

IRON IRON

IRONRUST

RUST

Water & Oxygen

IRON

Metal Corrosion

• Several factorsinfluence corrosion

– Chemicals

– Temperature

–Moisture

– Substrate Design

Corrosion Rate

High-Performance Coatings: Corrosion Control

Barrierbetween

substrate and water

Insulates the substrate from contact

with soil

Protects substrate from

contact with chemicals

SECTION 3Where High-Performance Coatings Are Used

Industrial Project

Structures exposed to harsh environmental conditions

Non-Industrial Project

High-performance coatings are not limited to industrial purposes.

Construction Materials

DrywallConcrete, Cement, Masonry

Steel

Steel

Creates a durable barrier between the metal and service environment

Concrete, Cement, & Brick Masonry

Protection from potentially damaging environment

Drywall

Enhanced durability, resistant to harsh chemicals, abrasion, and marring

What other types of spaces and structures require exceptional durability?

Non-Industrial Projects

• Hospitals and health-care facilities• Restaurants, hotels, and retailers

Non-Industrial Projects

• Abrasion and chemical resistance • Corrosion protection• Exceptional durability

Non-Industrial Projects

• Sporting arenas and ballparks• Areas with expanses of

flooring and handrails

Warehouse and Distribution Centers

•Wear and tear of construction equipment

• Heavy machinery

• Lift tires, oil fuel, and material spills

Building Maintenance & Facilities Room

• Tanks and pipes

• Color coding

SECTION 4Surface Preparation

Surface preparation is a result not a process.

Surface Preparation

Ninety percent of premature coating failures are a result of improper surface preparation.

Surface Preparation

Techniques varybased on:– Coating– Service environment

Surface Preparation and PrimingStandards

• Industry standards

• Technical publications

• Training and certification

SSPCThe Society for Protective

Coatings

NACE The Worldwide Corrosion

Authority

SECTION 5Three-Coat System

Three-Coat System

Pin Holes in Coatings

Finish Coat

Intermediate

PrimerSubstrate

• Number of coats is more important than thickness

• Protection in layers

Three-Coat System

Pin Holes in Coatings

Finish CoatIntermediatePrimer

Substrate

• Surface profile should be buried by the dry film of primer

• Insufficient coating results in pinpoint rusting

Pinpoint rusting

Three-Coat System: Primers

• Adhere to the surface and resist corrosion• Different substrates require different primers• Primers are effective on properly prepared

surface

Three-Coat System: Intermediate

• Intermediate layers offer more protection• Additional coats protect against pinholes

Three-Coat System: Finish Coat

• Provides additional protection• Improve abrasion resistance • Aesthetics

SECTION 6Top Down and Bottom Up

Top-Down & Bottom-Up Approaches

Top-DownCoating

Goal

Type of prep

Substrate requirements

Aesthetics

Service/operational environment

Bottom-UpSubstrate

SECTION 7High-Performance Single-Component and Dual-Component Formulas

High-Performance Finish Coats

Single-component

coatings

Dual-component

coatings

Single-Component Coatings

Single-component

coatings

Designed to meet a unique need or purpose

Broad selection of colors and glosses, easy to apply

Hard and durable,chemical resistant

Dual-Component Coatings

Dual-component

coatings

Consist of an “A” and a “B” portion (chemical reaction)

Harder and more durable than a single-component

product

UV, chemical, corrosion, andabrasion resistant and

water immersible

SECTION 8Factors that Influence the Choice of High-Performance Coatings

Environmental & Operations Conditions

• Interior and exterior spaces

– Interior spaces: heat, high humidity, and particulate matter

– Exterior spaces: freeze-thaw conditions, heat and humidity, UV exposure, salt

Environmental & Operations Conditions

• Environmental conditions• Healthy indoor environments for occupants•Occupied spaces vs. new construction

Factors that Influence the Choice of aHigh-Performance Coating System

• Anticipated use and exposureü Service environmentü Expected exposureü Job typeü Substrate typeü Surface Preparationü Budgetü Customer Expectations

Standards and Specialists

•Rely on standards and specialists – Applications and surface preparation standards

can mitigate confusion

– Coating manufacturers are a valuable resource

–With guidance, projects can be done properly

Summary

At first glance, the world of high-performance coatings may appear overwhelming. But a good starting point for understanding these coatings is to recognize that the same benefits high-performance coatings provide for large-scale industrial projects can be applied to non-industrial projects.

So when exceptional durability, safety, and longevity are needed or required, specify a high-performance coating system. These coatings are designed specifically to protect substrates from chemicals, abrasion, and corrosion and enhance project aesthetics.

Thank You

Thank you for your interest in high-performance coating systems. This concludes the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems and IDCEC Course.

www.benjaminmoore.com

Master Painters Institutewww.paintinfo.com

NACE Internationalwww.nace.org

National Paint & Coatings Associationwww.paint.org

Society for Protective Coatingswww.sspc.org

Benjamin Moore & Co.www.benjaminmoore.com

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